And frank



No. 6|3,793. Patented Nov. 8, |898. T. A. BBIGGS & F. L. CROSS.

PAPER FEEDING MACHINE.

6 Sheets-Sheet I.

(Application led Dec. 23, 1897.) (No Model.)

TH: NDRRIS Pzrzns co, PHOrm m10., WASHINGTON. D4 c,

Hw N f l No. s|3,793. Patented Nov. a, |898. T. A. anlass & F.` L. cnoss.-

PAPER FEEDING MACHINE.

. (Application filed` Dec. 23, 1897;) (No Model.) l y 6 Sheets-Sheet 2.

TH: gums PETERS cc, PHoTuLrmo, wnsmucmm4 u. c.

No. 6|3,793. Pafenfed Nov. 8, |898. T. A. Emacs & F. L. caoss.

PAPER FEEDING MACHINE.

(Application me@ nec. 2s, i897.)

6 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

N lllllI-lllll'l I! TN: N'onms Przns co, Punto-uma., wAsHmGToN, n, c.

. Patented Nov. a, |898.

T. A.Bmss & F. L. coss.

PAPER FEEDING MACHINE.

(Application med me. 2a, 1897.)

(No Model.)

"Humm-n.4; Q

Patented Nov. 8, 1898. T. A. BRIGGS A'&. F. L. CRSS.

PAPER FEEDING MACHINE.

(Appuc'tion med Dee. 2s, 1897.)

6 S'hsets-Sheat 5.

mami...

THE Nonms PETERS co. wonuwo., wAsHxNaToN, c.

y Patented Nov. 8, |898. T. AQBRIGGS & F. L. CROSS.

PAPER FEEDING MACHINE.l

l(Applimtiou filed Dec. 23, 1897. (No Model.) 6 Sheets-Shadi 6.

wmf/ff UNITED STATES PATENT Orricn.

THOMAS ARNOLD BRIGGS, OF ARLINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS, AND FRANK LEONARD CROSS, OF MYSTIC, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNORS TO THE STAND- ARD MACHINERY COMPANY, OF MYSTIC, CONNECTICUT.

PAPER-FEEDING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 613,793, dated November 8, 189B.

Application filed December 23, 1897.

States, have invented a new and useful Im,

provement in Paper-Feeding Machines, of lo vwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates, mainly, to that class of sheet-paper-feeding machines in which the sheets form a feathered bank or body, and particularly to that style of such machines I in which the bank or body of sheets yis first placed upon an upper supply-table and is slowly moved or fed from the same to a feedtable which is arranged below the supplytable; but parts of our invention are also apzo plicable to other types of sheet-feeding machines.

The objects of our invention are to improve the means whereby the feeding of the sheets from the bank or body of sheets is z5 started and stopped; to improve the means for feeding the body of sheets from the upper supply-table to the lower feed-table; to permit of easily reversing the side-registering mechanism; to retard the sheet which isl be- 30 ing fed off as it approaches the front guides of a printing-press, and to improve the machine in other respects.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of six sheets, Figure 1 is a vertical longitu- 3 5 dinal section of our improved paper-feeder, taken in line 1 1, Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is an endelevation thereof. Fig. 3 is ahorizontal section in line 3 3, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal section, on an enlarged scale, in

4o line 4 4, Fig. 3, showing the comb-wheels lowered upon the bank or pile of sheets. Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the bank or pile retaining or presser foot lowered upon the sheets. Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-section in 45 line 6 6, Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a horizontal section in line 7 7, Fig. 4. Fig. Sis a vertical longitudinal section, on an enlarged scale, inline 8 8, Fig. 2. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side elevation, partly in section and on an enlarged 5o scale, showing the position of the shifting Serial No. 663.160. (No model.)

mechanism when the comb-wheels are in operation. Fig. 10 is'a similar view showing the position of the shifting mechanism when the comb-wheels are raised into an inoperative position. Fig. 11 is a horizontal section 55 in line 11 11, Fig. 9. Fig. 12 is a vertical longitudinal section in line 12 12, Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a fragmentary horizontal section in line 13 13, Fig. 9. Fig. 14 is a horizontal section in line 14 14, Fig. 12. Figs. 15, 16, 6o and 17 are fragmentary longitudinal sections, on an enlarged scale, in lines 15 15,

16 16, and 17 17, Fig. 3, respectively. Fig.

18 is a fragmentary horizontal section in line 18 18, Fig. 15, looking upward. Fig. 19 is a 65 similar'view in line 19 19, Fig. 15, looking downward. Fig. 2O is a fragmentary crosssection, on an enlarged scale, in line 20 20, Fig. l. Fig. 21 is a fragmentary longitudiv nal section, on an enlarged scale, in line 21 21, 7o

Fig. 3. Fig. 22 is a cross-section in line 22 22, Fig. 2l. Fig. 23 is a perspective View of the main electric switch. Fig. 24 is a fragmentary longitudinal section showing a modification of the means for retarding the Inovement of the sheets on the feed-board. Fig. 25 is a fragmentary cross-section of the same in line 25 25, Fig. 24.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A, Figs. 1 and 3, represents the impressioncylinder of a printing-press provided with the usual grippers d and the movable front guides a.

B is the lower feed board or table, arranged Awith its delivery end over the cylinder and consisting, preferably, of a fixed rear section b and a movable front section b', which latter is pivoted by hinges b?a to the rear section, so

as to permit of raising the front section and 9o aord access to the press. The front portion of the feathered bank or body of sheets rests on the rear section of the lower feed-table, and the sheets are carried successively from the rear section upon the front section and against the front guides by upper and lower delivery-rollers C C', which are arranged on opposite sides of the path of the sheets, adjacent to the receiving end of the front feedboard section. The lower delivery-rollers are loo mounted on a transverse shaft O2, arranged underneath the lower feed-table, and project upwardly through openings in the table. The shaft of the lower delivery-rollers may be driven in any suitable manner, but preferably from the printing-press by a train of gearing consisting of a gear-wheel c, arranged on the shaft of the press-cylinder and meshing with an intermediate gear-wheel o', arranged on a counter-shaft c2, and a longitudinal telescopic shaft c3, having its front section connected by bevel gear-wheels c4 with the counter-shaft and its rear section connected by miter gearwheels c5 c6 with the shaft of the lower delivery-rollers, as shown in Fig. 3. The upper delivery-rollers are arranged on a transverse shaft cT and are dropped upon the lower rollers once during each impression of the printing-cylinder and then raised after the sheet has been carried from the rear section of the lower table to the front guides. anism for raising and lowering the upper delivery-rollers is constructed as follows:

D D, Figs. 3 and 16, represent rock-arms pivoted at their front ends on the top of the feed table and provided with bearings in which the shaft cT of the upper delivery-rollers is journaled.

d cl representlifting-rods which slide vcrtically in the feed-table and bear with their upper ends against the rear ends of the rockarms D D, while their lower ends are loosely connected with rock-arms d d. The latter are mounted with their rear ends on a transverse rock-shaft cl2, arranged below the feedtable. The upper roller-shaft is driven from the lower roller-shaft by intermeshing gearwheels (Z3, secured to these shafts, as shown in Figs. 3 and 17. The upper delivery-rollers are engaged with the lower delivery-rollers by gravity, aided by springs d4, interposed between the bearing rock-arms D and rods d5, connected with the feed-table.

D is a longitudinally-movable slide provided at its rear end with a cam-face d6,which engages with a pin or roller C27, arranged on a rock-arm (ZB, secured to the rock-shaft d2, as shown in Figs. 15 and 1S. Upon moving the slide rearwardly its cam-face raises the rockarm d8 and lifts the upper delivery-rollers from the lower rollers, and upon moving the slide forwardly the upper rollers are permitted to drop upon the lower rollers. rlhe slide is reciprocated by means of a worin-wheel d,

which meshes with a worm d10 on the lower,

roller-shaft C2 and which is provided on its under side with a cam-groove d, receiving a roller or projection d12 on the front end of the cam-slide D'. The movement of the camslide D is so timed that the upper deliveryrollers are dropped and a sheet is fed toward the front guides when the latter are depressed. The worm-wheel is journaled with the lower end of its hub in a bracket d4, secured to the under side of the lower feed-table.

In order to prevent the sheets from striking the front guides with a force which is lia- The mech! ble to turn over the front edges of the sheets and displace the same, the followin g mechanism is provided:

E, Figs. 1, 3, l5, and 20, represents a number of guide-bars or files which are arranged over the front section of the lower feed-table and supported on a transverse rod e, which is mounted in brackets e' on the front feed-board section.

e2 is a vertically-movable retardin g rod, bar, or pin which is guided in an opening in the front section of the feed-table underneath one of the guide-bars, preferably near the middle of the table. This rod is moved upwardly j ust before the sheet reaches the front guides and presses the sheet momentarily against the under side of the guide-bar or fly, thereby checking the forward movement of the sheet. This retarding-rod is operated by means of a rock-lever e3, which is pivoted to the under side of the feed-board and which engages with its front arm e1l against the lower end of the retarding-rod, While its rear arm e5 is provided with a pin or roller e, which is engaged by a tappet or projection e7 on the under side of the worin-wheel. During each rotation of the worm-wheel its tappet depresses the rear arm of the lever e3, so that its front arm raises the retardng-rod and the latter presses the sheet against the guide-bar or fly. After the tappet clears the roller on the rear arm of the lever the retarding-rod and the front arm of the lever drop by gravity until the roller on the rear arm of the lever engages with the under side of the worm-wheel, in which position of the parts the upper end of the retarding-rod is arranged flush with or below the top of the lower feedtable.

In the modified construction of our sheetretarding device shown in Figs. 24C and 25 the guide-bars or flies E are movable instead of stationary and are mounted on a transverse rock-shaft e8, which is journaled at its ends in bearings e, arranged on the feed-table, and which is rocked at intervals, so that the front ends of the guide-bars press the moving sheet against the top of the feed-table just before the sheet reaches the front guides. The front ends of the guide-bars are normally held in an elevated position, owing to the preponderating weight of the rear ends of the bars. The guide-bars are moved at intervals for engaging their front ends with the feed-table by a rearwardly-projecting rock-arm ew, secured to one end of the rock-shaft carrying the guidebars, a vertically-sliding rod e, guided in the feed-table and engaging against the under side of said arm, and a transverse rock-lever @12, pivoted to the underside of the feed-table and engaging with its outer arm against the lower end of the rod e, while its inner arm is engaged by the tappet e7 on the wormwheel.

F F', Fig. 3, represent two side-registering devices, whereby each sheet may be registered on either of its side edges and which are ICO IIO

arranged on the front section of thefeed-table on opposite sides of the path of the sheets. These side-registering devices are operated by a transversely-reciprocating rod fand are constructed substantially as described in United States Letters Patent No. 562,7 97, -granted June 30, 1896. In the operation of this sideregistering mechanism the gripper adjacent to that side of the sheet on which the latter is to be registered is rst moved inwardly or away from its side guide f and then outwardly. During the latter movement the working gripper grasps the sheet and draws it toward the side guide against which it is to be registered. For the purpose of enabling the side-registering mechanism to be conveniently shifted for changing theregister of the sheets from one side to the other the following mechanism is provided, (shown in Figs. l5, 18, and 19:)

f2 represents a horizontally-swinging rocklever pivoted lengthwise to the under side of the feed-table and connected loosely on the end of its front arm f3 with the central portion of the reciprocating rod of the side-registering mechanism. The side-register rockarm f2 is operated by a rotary cam-disk f4, provided on its upper side with a cam-groove f5, which receives a roller or pin fb' on the rear arm f7 of the register rock-lever f2. The under side of the cam-disk is provided with a hub f8, which is seated in a corresponding socket in the upper side of the worm-wheel di.

fg is a coupling-rod which is arranged axially in the worm-wheel and cam-disk and which is provided at its upper end with a head fw,

arranged in a socket f 11 in the upper side of the cam-disk. The coupling-bar is permitted to slide axially in the cam-disk, but is compelled to turn therewith by means of a spline fw, connecting these parts.

f13 represents a cross-piece or spline which is secured to the lower end of the couplingrod and which engages with its ends in notches or recesses f, arranged in the lower end of the hub of the worm-wheel on diametrically opposite sides, thereby coupling the cam-disk with the worm wheel. The cross piece or spline is yieldingly held in these recesses by a spring f 15, arranged between the head at the upper end of the coupling-rod and the bottom of the socket in the cam-disk. When the ends of the cross-piece]C13 engage with the notches of the worm-wheel in one position, the register-cam operates the registeringmechanism, so as to register each sheet on one of its side edges. If it is desired to register the sheets on the opposite side edges,

the coupling-rod is depressed against thev pressure of the spring f15 until the cross-piece at the lower end of the coupling-rod is wholly disengaged from the notches f14 of the wormwheel, after which the coupling-rod is turned one-half a rotation and then released, Whereby the ends of the cross-piece are engaged in a reverse position in the notches of the wormwheel. While turning the coupling-rod in its depressed position, 'the Worm-wheel remains` at rest, but the cam-disk turns with the coupling-rod, whereby the cam-groove f5 is shifted one-half a turn. The movement imparted by the cam-groove to vthe registering mechanism is now in a direction reverse to that in which the'parts moved before shifting the registering-cam one-half turn. For convenience in shifting the coupling-rod its upper end projects through an opening in the feed-table and is provided with a transverse slot or notch for the reception of a screwdriver or other tool to manipulate the coupling-rod.

G, Figs. 1 and 3, is the upper feed or supply table, arranged above the lower feedtable and secured to a frame g. The latter is pivotally supported at its rear end by means of transverse studs or pins g', arranged on the rear portion of the frame g and journaled in the outer portions of bearings g2, which are formed in the upper portions of the standards g3 g3.

H represents the feed-wheels, which are arranged between the delivery end of the upper supply-table and the receiving end of the lower feed-table and whereby the bank or body of sheets is fed from the upper table to the lower table. The feed-wheels are mounted on a hollow transverse shaft h, which is journaled at its ends in hollow arbors or bushings h, secured in the standards g3.

h2 represents the feed-belts, whereby the bank or body of sheets is carried rearwardly on the upper table and which pass, with their receiving portions, around rollers h3 on the front portion of the upper table, thence rearwardly over the upper tabla-thence downwardly and forwardly around some of the feed wheels, and thence upwardly and forwardly over a guide-bar h4 on the frame g to the place of beginning. The bank of sheets rests on the upper or supply table and on the carrying portions of the belts h2, with the top of the bank tipped or combed forwardly or toward the printing-press, and the feed belts and wheels carry the bottom or rear portion of the bank rearwardly over the upper table and then downwardly to the lower table and forwardly over the latter, whereby the position of the sheets is reversed.

I, Figs. l, 2, 9, and l2, represents pressurerollers whereby the body of sheets is pressed against the feed-wheels, so as to secure a positive feeding of the sheets and which are arranged above the feed-wheels and secured to a transverse `shaft c'. The latter is journaled with its ends in bearings t', formed in the upper ends of rock-arms i2, which are rigidly secured with their lower ends to a transverse rock-shaft 3. The latter is arranged underneath the supply-table and is journaled with its ends in the inner portions of the bearings g2 in the standards, as shown in Fig. 13. The pressure-rollers are driven positively and at the same peripheral speed as. the feedwheels by a train of gearing shown in Figs.

IOO

IIO

2 and 8 and consisting of an idle gear-wheel t", journaled on the inner side of one of the standards and meshing with a gear-wheel on the hollow shaft 7L, and a gear-wheel t, which is journaled loosely on the rock-shaft t3, and idle gear-wheels t? i8, journaled on an arm 9, which connects the rock-shaft i3 and the roller-shaft i and which mesh with each other and with t-he gear-Wheel t, and a gearwheel @'10, secured to the roller-shaft t'. This means of driving the pressure-rollers permits the latter to rise and fall in adjusting themselves by gravity to the thickness of the body 0f sheets without disturbing the driving meehanism. By rigidly securing the rock-arms i2 to the rock-shaft'i3 the pressure-rollers are compelled to rise and fall together, thus insuring a uniform feed and preventing the rollers from tipping and displacing the body of sheets, which is liable to happen if the bearings supporting opposite ends of the roller-shaft t' are free to rise and fail independently of each other.

fill represents guide blocks or shoes whereby the body of sheets is directed underneath the pressure-rollers I and which are hung loosely upon the roller-shaft t' between the pressure-rollers. Each of these guide-shoes is provided with a flat under side im, which is arranged somewhat nearer the axis of the pressure-rollers than the periphery of the latter, so that the guide-shoes do not press upon the sheets as firmly as the pressurerollers. The flat bearing-faces 'i12 of the guideshoes extend in front and in rear of the lowermost portions of the pressure-rollers, and the front end of each shoe curves upwardly, as shown at in?, so that the sheets are directed underneath the shoes and the pressure-rollers. Thse guide-shoes prevent the pressure of the rollers I from causing the sheets to buckle upwardly in front of the rollers, which would interfere with the proper feeding of the pile.

.l represents a number of curved guideplates which are arranged in rear of the feedwheels H, with'the concave sides facing forwardly, and which, together with the feedwheels, form a curved throat, whereby the body of sheets is conducted from the delivery end of the upper supply-table to the receiving end of the lower or feed table. These guide-plates are preferably arranged opposite the spaces between the feed-wheels and pressure-rollers and extend from the guideshoes to the lower feed-table. The upper ends of the guide-plates are curved upward, as shown at j, so that the sheets are directed against the concave side of the guide-plates. The space between the rear side of the feedwheels and the guide-plates, forming the throat, is greater than the thickness of the body of sheets. The bent body of sheets as it moves from the upper table to the lower table bears with its outer curved side against the concave side of the guide-plates, while its inner curved side or bight is out of contact with the feed wheels and belts. This leaves j, formed on the longitudinal rails y.

the body of sheets free after passing between the feed-wheels and pressure-rollers and permits the ends of the sheets on the outer side of the bent portion of the body of sheets to spread or separate to some extent, while the ends of the sheets on the inner side of the bent portion of the body of sheets close up or lap over each other to a greater extent,thereby preventing the body of sheets from being cramped in passing from the upper to the lower table. The guide-plates are secured with their lower ends to the front side of ,supporting-blocks j', which rest on the lower feed-table. These blocks are mounted loosely on a transverse shaft j?, which turns in bearings js, arranged on the rear portions of the standards g3. The latter are mounted with their lower ends on longitudinal guides or rails jl, in which the standards and the sheetfeeding devices mounted thereon are capable of being adj usted lengthwise toward and from the upper and lower delivery-rollers C C for the purpose of adjusting the machine to different sizes of sheets. This adjustment is effected by means of gear-pinionsj, arranged on the shaft and engaging with gear-racks Upon turning the adjusting-shaft jz by means of a wrench applied to the end thereof the `shaft is moved lengthwise of the machine by reason of its gear-pinions rolling along the gearracks, whereby the standards and supporting-blocks and the parts connected therewith are adjusted lengthwise in the machine. After adjustment the shaft 3'2 is held against turning by bolts jl, which connect the split portions of the bearings jg. The guide-plates are held against lateral displacement by a retaining-rod js, which is secured transversely in the supporting-blocks by set-screwsj" and .which bears with its ends against the inner sides of the rails ji.

K represents brushing or combing wheels whereby the body of sheets is combed out or separated and the sheets are fed successively from the feed-table toward the printing-press. These wheels are arranged transversely in line, and a pair of the same is preferably arranged upon each side of the body of sheets and secured to a transverse shaft k.

7d is a continuously-rotat-ing counter-shaft which is arranged transversely in rear of the comb-Wheels and journaled in the standards g3. Motion is transmitted from this shaft to each of the comb-wheel shafts 71;, so as to rotate the comb-wheels continuously by a train of gearing consisting of gear-wheels 7a2 7c3, secured, respectively, to the comb-wheel shaft and the counter-shaft, and two intermediate gear-wheels 7a4 71:5, which mesh with each other and'with the gear-wheels k2 7a3 and which are j ournaled in a hollow rock-arm 7c, connecting the comb-wheel shaft and the counter-shaft, as shown in Fig. 7. The counter-shaft 7c is driven from the shaft C2 of the lower delivery-rollers C by a telescopic longitudinal shaft k7, provided at its front end with a mi- IIO ,4, 5, and 6.

ter gear-wheel Zes, meshing with the gear-wheel c6 at the end of the delivery-roller shaft c2,

and connected at its rear end with the coun-` ter-shaft 7c by a pair of miter gear-wheels lcf, as represented in Fig. 3.

For the purpose of effecting an intermittent feeding of the sheets the comb-wheels are lowered upon the pile and raised therefrom by the following mechanism:

L L, Figs. l, 3, 4, 5, and 6, represent two transverse rock-shafts arranged,respectively, over the two pairs of comb-wheels. Each shaft is journaled in the front ends of rockarms Z Z. The rock-arms of each rock-shaft L are secured with their rear ends to a sleeve Z,

which turns on a transverse supporting-rod Z2, mounted with its ends on the standards, the sleeve of each pair of rock-arms bearing with its outer end against the adjacent standard, while its inner end bears against the sleeve of the other rock-arms.

L L', Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6, represent two pile retaining or presser feet whereby the pile of sheets is held against displacement, while the comb-wheels are raised and the top sheet is being carried away. One of these feet is hung loosely with its upper end upon rock-shaft L and is provided with a vertical slot Z3, which receives a boss Z4, formed on one side of the hollow rock-arm Z126 around the comb-wheel shaft.

Z5 Z6 are the upper and lower members or bars of a toggle which connects each rockshaft L with the adjacent comb-wheel shaft Zt. These bars are pivoted to each other, and the upper bar Z5 is rigidly secured to the rockshaft L, while the lower bar Z6 is pivoted on the boss Z4 of the hollow rock-arm or other part connected with the comb-wheels.

Z7 is a spring which is secured at one end to the rock-arm k6 and bears with its other end against a pin or shoulder Z8 on the lower portion of the presser-foot, as shown in Figs. Upon turning the rock-shaft L in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 4, the toggle-bars are straightened, which causes the comb-wheel shaft and the rock-shaft to be separated, and by this movement of the combwheels and presser foot the spring yZ7 is strained. The straightening movement of the toggle-bars is arrested after the joint between the toggle-bars has passed beyond the dead-center by providing the toggle-bars with abutting shoulders Z9, adjacent to the joint between the same, whereby the toggle is locked in its straightened position. Upon turning the rock-shaft in the opposite direction from that indicated by the arrow in Fig. 4 the toggle is broken, which permits the resilience of the spring Z7 to draw the rock-shaft L and comb-wheel shaft together, as shown in Fig. 5.

The pile of sheets is always engaged by either the comb-wheels or the presser-feet, the comb-wheels being in engagement with the sheets while a sheet is fed from the pile and the feet resting on the pile for holding the same in place during the intervals between the feeding movements. During the first portion of the straightening movement of each toggle the respective presser-foot rests undisturbed on the sheets until the combwheels have been lowered upon the pile of sheets; but during the continued straightening of the toggle-bars after the comb-wheels rest on the sheets the comb-wheels serve as an abutment for the toggle, so that the last portion of the straightening movement of the toggle effects the lifting of the presser-foot from the pile and the straining of the spring Z7. During the first portion of the breaking movement of the toggle-bars the comb-wheels remain resting on the sheets and the rockshaft and presser-foot are lowered until the latter rests on the sheets and serves as an abutment for the toggle, so that the remaining portion of the breaking movement of the toggle causes the comb-wheels to be lifted from the sheets. The spring Z7 resists the lowering of the comb-wheels upon the pile and aids in raising the comb-wheels from the pile.

The mechanism whereby each rock-shaft L is alternately turned in opposite directions for raising and lowering the comb-wheels and presser-foot is constructed as follows:

M, Figs. l, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, l1, and 12, represents a continually-rotating clutch-shaft arranged in the hollow feed-wheel shaft h and j ou rnaled in the bushings h of the standards. This shaft is rotated once for each impression of the printing-press and is preferably driven by a pinion m, secured to the counter-shaft k and engaging with a gear-wheel m on the clutch-shaft.

N N, Figs. 2, 3, 9, l0, and 1l, are two clutchwheels secured to the clutch-shaft outside of the standards and each provided with an inwardly-,projecting annular hangen.

n' represents two electromagnetic clutchdisks, of soft iron, which are journaled on the bushings h outside of the standards, and each of which is arranged wi thin the annular flange n ofthe adjacent clutch-wheel. Each clutchdisk is provided in its periphery with an annular groove which contains a coil of insulated wire n2.

'n3 are a number of clutch-shoes or armatures, of soft imm-arranged between thedange of the clutch-wheel and the periphery of the clutch-disk,each shoe beingloosely connected with the clutch-wheel by a radial pin n4, which compels the armature to turn with the clutchwheel, but permits the same to move radially toward and from the face of the clutch-l disk. When the electric circuit which includes the electromagnetic disk is closed, the armatures are attracted by the disk and the latter is compelled to turn with the clutchwheel; but when this circuit is broken the armatures are released from the disk by the rotation of the clutch-wheel and the clutchdisk stops. The clutches onY opposite ends of the clutch-shaft are operated independ- IOO IIO

ently of each other, so that the feed of one side of the sheet may be continued after the feeding of the other side has stopped for the purpose of alining the sheet. The electric circuit of each clutch-disk includes a generator 0, a main switch o, which is closed by the movement of the uppermost sheet when the latter has been properly fed from the pile to the deliveryrollers C C', and a safetyswitch 02, which is opened automatically by the movement of the clutch after the presserfoot on the respective side of the machine has been lowered upon the sheets.

p p represent two longitudinally-Inovable slides which are guided in ways p on the outer sid es of the standards and each of which is provided at its front end with an inwardlyfacing vertical groove p2 and at its rear end with an upwardly-curved portion 194 p4 are two upwardlyprojecting rockarms which are secured to the hubs of the clutch-disks and each of which is loosely connected at its upper end with the upturned rear portion of one of the slides p.

p5 p5 are two depending rock-arms secured, respectively, to the outer ends of the combwheel rock-shafts L L, and each provided with an outwardly-projecting pin or roller p6, which engages with the vertical groove p2 in the front end of the adjacent slide.

297197 are cams which are arranged on the peripheries of the clutch-wheels and whereby the toggles of both comb-wheels are straightened for depressing the comb-wheels and raising the presser-feet.

118138 represent two depending shifting or switch levers which are pivoted to the outer sides of the slides in frontof the clutch-wheels and each of which is provided with a roller or projection p9, which is adapted to be engaged by the cam p7 and the clutch-wheel, and with a forwardlyprojecting nose p10, which is adapted to bear against a shoulder p11, arranged on the outer side of the adjacent slide.

The safety-switch o2 is mounted on an insulated block or case o3, arranged on the outer side of the slide and forming the shoulder p11, and consists of a stationary contact o4 and a movable contact o5, arranged in the path of a pin o6 on the nose of the shiftinglever. Vhen the slide is in its rearmost position, the roller p of the shifting-lever engages with the periphery of the clutch-wheel and the shifting-lever is turned forwardly, so that its nose bears against the shoulder p11 of the slide and the pin o6 on the nose raises the movable contact o5 of the safety-switch out of engagement with the stationary contact o4, as represented in Fig. l0, thereby opening the electric circuit at the safety-switch. At

the same time the main switch 0' is held open by the top sheet, and in this position of the parts the comb-wheels are raised and the presser-foot is lowered. During t-he subsequent rotation of the cam in the direction of the arrow, Fig. l0, the cam engages with the roller p of the shifting-lever, and as the nose of the latter at this time bears against the shonlderp11 of the slide the shifting-lever and slide are moved forward by the cam, and the rock-shaft L is turned so as to raise the presser-foot, lower the comb-wheels, and feed the top sheet from the pile to the deliveryrollers C C'. After the cam has passed the roller p9 of the shifting-lever the latter drops back by gravity, as shown in Fig. 9, so that its pin o6 clears the movable contact of the safety-switch and permits this contact to bear against the stationary contact and close the electric circuit at this point. lVhen the top sheet has been fed forward to the deliveryrollers and the main switch o' suiiiciently to shift the latter and close the electric circuit at this point, the clutch-disk is coupled with the rotating clutch-wheel and the slide is moved rearwardly, thereby raising the combwheels and lowering the presser-foot and stopping the feeding operationV During the last portion of the backward movement of the slide the roller of the shifting-lever engages with the clutch-wheel and the lever is moved forwardly into the position shown in Fig. 10, whereby the movable contact of the safety-switch is disengaged from the stationary contact and the circuit is opened at this point, thereby uncoupling the clutch-disk from the clutch-wheel. The main switches o', which are operated by the movement of the sheets of paper, are each constructed as follows:

Q, Q, Figs. 3, 2l, 22, and 23, represent abutment-rollers which are mounted on the upper delivery-roller shaft adjacent to the upper delivery-rollers C and each provided with a peripheral groove q.

R R are longitudinal metallic switch-levers which are arranged below the lower feed-table and each of which is adapted to project with its front arm 0 upwardly through a slot o" in the feed-table and into thelower portion of the groove in one of the abutment-rollers. The front arm of each switch-lever is provided on its upper side with a rearwardlyfacing shoulder or stop r2, which is arranged in line or slightly in front of the point of contact between the upper and lower deliveryrollers. Vhen the front arm of the switchlever is raised into its highest position, the upper side of this arm and the adjacent peripheral portion of the abutment-roller together form a converging throat into which the sheet is carried by the comb-wheels. The switch-lever is pivoted by a transverse pin fr to an insulating supporting-block r1, secured to the rock-shaft (Z2, which raises and lowers the upper delivery-rollers. The rear arm rl of the switch-lever is provided with a contact r, which is adapted to be raised into engagement With a contact 7'7 on the rear portion of the supporting-block, both of these contacts being included in the electric circuit of the generator, cli1tch-diskand safety-switch on the respective sides of the machine. 'When IOC IIO

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the comb-wheels are in operation and feed the top sheet forwardly, the rock-lever cl2 is turned, so that the front arm of the switchlever projects into the groove of the abutment-roller, while the contact on its rear arm is held by gravity out of engagement with the contact on the supporting-blocks. As the top sheet is moved forwardly by the comb-wheels its front edge passes between the converging sides of the abutment-roller and the switchlever and crowds or wedges the front arm of the latter downwardlyout of the groove of the abutment roller, thereby elevating the rear arm of the switch-lever and bringing t-he two contacts of the main switch into engagement, whereby the circuit is closed and the clutch on the respective sides of the machine operates to raise the comb-wheels and stop their feeding action, while the presser-foot is lowered on the pile in rear of the top sheet to prevent the lower sheets from being disturbed by the subsequent removal of the top sheet. The slight friction of the abutment and delivery rollers -against the front edge of the sheet has a tendency to feed the sheet forwardly; but this movement of the sheet is arrested-when its front edge strikes the shoulder on the front arm of the switch-lever. When the rock-shaft d2 is turned for lowering the upper delivery-rollers upon the lower delivery-rollers, the same movement of the rock-shaft carries the front arm of the switchlever and its stop below the feed-table, which permits these rollers to carry the sheet to the front guides. When the switch-lever is disengaged from the front edge of the sheet and is depressed below the feed-table, its rear arm drops and breaks the connection between the contacts of the switch-lever and the supporting-block. After the sheet has been fed to the front guides the upper delivery-rollers are again raised and the front arm of the switchlever is again raised into the groove of the abutment-roller.

rs rs represent two guard-anges arranged lengthwise on the supporting-block on opposite sides of Ithe front arm of the switch-lever and having their upper sides flush with the top of the switch-lever. These guard-flanges extend only along the rear portion of the front arm, which projects above the feed-table, leaving the front portion of the front arm adjacent to the abutment-roller unguarded. As the front edge of the sheet strikes the front arm of the switch-lever near its pivot,

, the guard-anges prevent the front arm from a The feeding of the body of sheets from the upper table to the lower table is regulated as follows:

S, Figs. 2, 3, l1, l2, and 14, represents a ratchet-wheel which is secured to one end of the feed-wheel shaft adjacent to the inner side of one of the standards.

1f is a feed-pawl carrier which slides on the rim of the ratchet-wheel. This carrierdrops back by gravity and is raised for moving the ratchet-wheel and feed-wheels forwardly by a constantly-rotating cam u, which engages with a roller on the lower end of the carrier. This cam is journaled on a stud u on the innerside of the adjacent standard and is driven from the counter-shaftbya pinion c, arranged on said shaft and meshing with a gear-wheel o', connected with the ,feed-cam u.

XV is an adjustable stop whereby the effective or feeding movement of the pawl-carrier can be adjusted. This stop consists of a longitudinally-movable bar which rests on a boss w on the inner side of the adjacent standard and which is provided at its rear end with an inclined stop-face w', adapted to engage with the lower end of the feed-pawl carrier. The latter is always moved forward to the same point by the feed-cam, but the extent of its backward movement is adjusted by shifting the stop-bar backward or forward, so as to bring a higher or lower portion of its inclined stop-face into the path of the feed-pawl carrier. The stop-bar is held in its adjusted position by means of a clam ping-screw wz, ar-

ranged in a longitudinal slot w3 in the adjacent standard.

a: represents a regulator-catch whereby the feed-pawl carrier is controlled and which consists of an upwardly-projecting catch-arm sa' and a rearwardly-projecting weight-arm x2. This catch is pivoted to the inner side of the adjacent standard and is adapted to be shifted on its pivot, so that its catch-arm stands in or out of the path of a shoulder m3 on the adjacent side of the feed-pawl carrier. When the catch-arm is moved forwardly out of the path of the shoulder on the feed-pawl carrier, the latter is free to fall and to be subsequently raised by the cam u for turning the feed-wheels. W'hen the catch-arm engages with the shoulder of the feed-pawl carrier, the latter is held in an elevated position and prevented from dropping within reach of ythe feed-cam, whereby the feeding of the body of sheets is arrested. v

y represents a connecting-rod whereby the regulating-catch is shifted and which is connected at its front end with the adjacent `slide p, while its rear end is provided with a longitudinal slot y', which receives a pin y2 on the catch-arm fc. During the last portion of the forward movement of the adjacent slide while depressing the comb-wheels into an operative position the rear end of the slot in the shifting-rod y engages with the pin y"2 on the catcharm and shifts the latter forwardly out of the path of the shoulder on the feed-pawl carrier,

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thereby permitting the latter to drop and to be raised by the cam for turning the ratchetwheel. Then the slide moves backward for raising the comb-wheels, the catch-arm is permitted to move backward into the path of the shoulder on the feed-pawl carrier and arrest the descent of the same. The interval between the lowering and raising of the combwheels determines the amount of feed of the body of sheets. When the supply of sheets on the feed-table is normal, the comb-wheels remain down a comparatively short time and the catch-arm is disengaged from the shoulder of the feed-pawl carrier only sufficiently to allow the latter to drop once. lVhen the supply of sheets on the feed-table is belowr the normal, the comb-wheels remain down a greater length of time before they have fed a sheet to the delivery-rollers and main switches, which causes the catch-arm x to be held out of engagement with the feed-pawl carrier for a longer time, thereby permitting the latter to rise and fall a number of times and increases the feed of the body of sheets proportionately. The slotted connection between the connecting-rod and the catch-arm permits of operatin g the latter during a small portion of the movement of the slide, and it also permits the conn ecting-rod to move backwardly its full extent without injuring any of the parts while the feed-pawl carrier is in a depressed position and its shoulder stands in rear of the catch-arm.

The rim of the ratchet-wheel is provided with a detent-pawl carrier a, which when in its normal position rests against the rockshaft i3 of the pressure-rollers, as shown in Fig. 12.

The operation of our improved paper-feeder is as follows: The feathered or combed pile of sheets is moved intermittently over the supply-table and the feed-table. The movement of the parts is so timed that when the delivery-rollers separate preparatory to receiving a new sheet the comb-wheels are lowered by the shiftin g mechanism, which latter is wholly mechanical and operates at a definite time during each impression of the printingfpress. The instant the comb-wheels rest upon the top sheet the latter is fed forward until its front end engages with both levers of the main switches and closes the circuits of the electric clutches. This causes the shifting mechanism to be coupled with the combwheels and presser-feet for lifting the wheels and lowering the feet on the pile in rear of the top sheet. 'Vhen the front guides of the press are lowered, the delivery-rollers grasp the top sheet at its front end and feed the same against the front guides, after which the delivery-rollers separate. During the last portion of the movement of the sheet to the front guides the speed of the sheet is checked by the retarding device, and after the sheet strikes the front guides the sheet is registered on one of its side edges. When the presscylinder is ready for the sheet, the front guides rise and the grippers of the cylinder grasp the sheet and carry the same from the feed-table. The front guides then drop again on the feed-table preparatory to receiving another sheet.

ln our improved paper-feeder the power for starting and stopping the combing devices is notderived from electromagnets, but from positively operated shifting mechanisms. rlhe lowering of the comb-wheels and the raising of the presser-feet always take place at a certain time and are effected positively and wholly bymechanical means. The raising of the comb-wheels and the lowering of the presser-feet are variable and depend on the condition of the pile of sheets and the distance which the top sheet has to travel before engaging the main switches. The electric clutches controlled by these switches simply serve to couple the driving mechanism with the shifting mechanism, which raises the comb-wheels and lowers the presser-feet, but the work of raising the comb-wheels and lowering the presser-feet is performed by mechanical means. Mechanical devices for performing these operations are more reliable in operation and less delicate than electrical devices capable of performing such work. The main switches control the electric clutches by closing the circuit, the circuit being normally open and closed by the switches for stopping the feeding action.

`We claim as our invention- 1. The combination with the feed-table and the upper and lower delivery-rollers, of a rock-shaft arranged below said table and provided with rock-arms connected with the supports of the upper rollers, a slide provided with a cam-face which engages with an arm on the rock-shaft, a worm-wheel provided with a cam which operates said slide, and a worm mounted on the shaft of the lower delivery-rollers and meshing with the wormwheel, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with the side-register ing mechanism and its diivingwheel, of a rotary actuating-disk mounted loosely on the driving-wheel and connected with the regis tering mechanism, and a coupling-rod capable of sliding lengthwise in the disk but compelled to turn therewith and adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from the driving-wheel, substantially as set forth.

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3. The combination with the sidesregistering rod, of a rotary driving-wheel provided on one side with a hub having notches on diametrically opposite sides, a rotary disk mounted concentrically on the opposite side of the driving-wheel and provided with a cam-groove, a rock-lever engaging with the cam-groove and connected with the reciprocating rod, a coupling-rod capable of axial movement in the driving-wheel and disk, a spline compelling the coupling-rod to turn with the rotary disk but permitting the same to slide therein, a spline or cross-bar arranged on the coupling-rod and adapted to engage with the notches of the driving-wheel, and

`a spring interposed between the couplingrod and the rotary disk, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with the lower feedtable, the upper supply-table and the feedwheels whereby the body of sheets is fed from the supply-table to the feed-table, of pressure-rollers mounted on a transverse shaft and bearing against the body of sheets opposite the feed-rollers, and pendent guide blocks or shoes which are loosely hung on the shaft of the pressure-rollers between the latter and whereby the sheets are directed underneath the pressure-rollers, substantially as set forth.

6. The` combination with the lower feedtable, the upper supply-table, and the feedwheels whereby the body of sheets is fed from the supply-table to the feed-table, of pressure rollers mounted on a transverse shaft and bearing against the body of sheets opposite the feed-rollers, and pendent guide blocks or shoes which are loosely hung on the shaft of the pressure-rollers and each of which is provided with an upwardly-curved front end and with a at under side arranged nearer the axis of the roller-shaft than the periphery of the pressure-rollers, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination with the lower feedtable, the upper supply-table, and the feedwheels mounted on a shaft and adapted to feed the sheets from the supply to the feed table, of pressure-rollers bearing against the sheets opposite the feed-wheels and mounted on a shaft, rock-arms rigidly secured to a rock-shaft and provided with bearings in.

which the shaft of the pressure-rollersis j ournaled, and driving mechanism whereby the pressure-rollers are driven from the shaft of the feed-wheels, substantially as set forth.

S. Thecombination with the lower feedtable, the upper supply-table, and the feedwheels whereby the body of sheets is fed .stantially as set forth.

9. The combination with the lower feedtable, the upper supply-table, and the feed- Wheels whereby the body of sheets is fed from the supply-table to the feed-table, of standards supporting the supply-table and feed-wheels and capable of sliding lengthwise on the feed-table, a transverse adjustingshaft journaled in the standards and provided with gear-pinions which engage with longitudinal gear-racks on the feed-table, and guides facing the feed-wheels and mounted loosely on the transverse shaft, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination with the feed-table, the comb-wheel and the presser-foot, of a toggle mechanism by which the comb-wheel and presser-foot are raised and lowered alternately, substantially as set forth.

11. The combination with the feed-table, the comb-wheel and the presser-foot, of a rockshaft which is arranged above the comb-wheel and upon which the presser-foot is hung loosely, an upper toggle-bar secured to the rock-shaft, and a lower toggle-bar connecting the upper bar with the comb-wheel, substantially as set forth.

12. The combination with the feed-table, the comb-wheel, and the presser-foot, of a shifting mechanism whereby the comb-wheel and presser-foot are raised and lowered alternately, and a spring interposed between the comb-wheel and presser-foot, 'substantially as set forth.

13. The combination with the feed-table, the comb-wheel, and the rock-arm provided with a bearing in which the comb-wheel is journaled, of arock-shaft arranged above the comb-wheel and journaled in a rock-arm, an upper toggle-bar secured to the rock-shaft, a lower toggle-bar pivoted with its upper end to the upper toggle-bar while its lower end is pivoted on the bearing of the comb-wheel, a presser-foot hung loosely with its upper end on the rock-shaft and provided with a vertical slot which receives the bearing of the comb-Wheel, and a spring interposed between the comb-wheel rock-arm and the presser-foot, substantially as set forth.

14. The combination with the feed-table,

lthe comb-wheel, mechanism by which said wheel is rotated to feed od the sheets, and. toggle-bars by which the wheel is alternately raised and lowered, of a rock-shaft by which said toggle-bars are actuated, a rock-arm secured to said rock-shaft, and a reciprocating slide by which said rock-arm is operated, substantially as set forth.

15. The combination with the feed-table, the comb-wheel and the rock-shaft whereby the comb-wheel is alternately raised and lowered, of a rock-arm secured to the rock-shaft, a reciprocating slide connected with said rockarm, a rotary clutch-wheel provided with a cam adapted to move the slide in one direction, and a clutch-disk adapted to move the slide in the opposite direction and capable of being connected with and disconnected from the clutch-wheel, substantially asset forth.

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1G. The combination with the feed-table, the comb-wheel, and the shifting mechanism whereby the comb-wheel is raised and low ered, of a cam whereby the shifting mechanism is operated for lowering the comb-wheel, a driving-wheel, an electric clutch adapted to couple the shifting mechanism with said wheel when the circuit is closed for raising the comb-wheel, and a switch which is arranged in the circuit of the electric clutch and which is adapted to be opened during the last portion of the raising movement of the comb-wheel, substantially as set forth.

17. The combination with the feed-table, the comb-wheel and the rock-shaft whereby the comb-wheel is raised and lowered, of a reciprocating slide provided at one end with a groove or slot which receives an arm on said rock-shaft, an electromagnetic disk connected with the other end of said slide, a switch arranged on the slide and included in the circuit of the electromagnetic disk, a shiftinglever arranged on the slide and adapted to open and close said switch, a clutch-wheel provided with a cam adapted to engage with said shifting-lever and shift the latter together with the slide in one direction for lowering the comb-wheel, and clutch-shoes or armatures which are adapted to couple the clutch-wheel and disk and move the slide in the direction for raising the comb-wheel when the circuit of the clutclrdisk is closed, substantially as set forth.

18. The combination with the feed-table, the sheet-feeding devices and the shifting mechanism, of an electric clutch adapted to connect the sheet-feeding devices with and disconnect the same from the shifting mechanism, and a switch which is included in the circuit of the electric clutch and which is operated by the movement of the sheet for closing said circuit and causes the shifting mechanism to be coupled with the feeding mechanism for rendering the latter inoperative, substantially as set forth.

19. rlhe combination with the feed-table, the sheet-feeding devices, and the shifting mechanism, of an electric clutch adapted to connect the sheet-feeding devices with and disconnect the same from the shifting mechanism, a main switch which is included in the circuit of the electric clutch and which is operated by the movement of the sheet for closing said circuit and causing the shifting mechanism to be coupled with the feeding mechanism for rendering the latter inoperative, and a safety-switch which is also included in the circuit of the electric clutch and which is opened during the last portion of the movement of the shifting mechanism while rendering the feeding devices inoperative, substantially as set forth.

20. The combination with the feed-table, and the sheet-feeding devices, of a mechanically-operated shifting mechanism, which renders the feeding devices operative, and an electrical shifting device which is controlled by the movement of the sheets and which causes the feeding device to become inoperative, substantially as set forth.

21. The combination with the feed-table and the sheet-.feeding devices, of a mechanically operated shifting mechanism which shifts the feeding devices into their inoperative position, and a sheet-controlled electrical device which controls the movement of said mechanical shifting mechanism in shifting the feeding devices into their inoperative position, substantially as set forth.

22. The combination with the feed-table and the sheet feeding devices, of a constant mechanically-operated shifting mechanism which shifts the feeding devices into their operative position, and a sheet controlled electrical mechanism which controls the shifting of the feeding devices into their inoperative position, substantially as set forth.

23. The combination with the feed-table andthe sheet-feeding device, of an electric clutch which renders the feeding device ineffective when the circuit through the same is closed, two contacts which are arranged in the circuit of the clutch and which are separated when the feeding device is in operation, and a trip-lever which is turned by the sheet and which engages said contacts and closes the circuit of the clutch for stopping the action of the feeding device, substantially as set forth.

24. The combination with the feed-table, the sheet feeding device and the electric clutch controlling said feeding device, of a switch-lever arranged in the path of the sheets and controlling the circuit of the clutch, and a guiding-abutment which faces the free end of the switch-lever and guides the sheets against the same, the end of the switch-lever projecting past the guiding-face of the abutment to insure contact of the sheets with the switch-lever, substantially as set forth.

25. The combination with the feed-table, the sheet-feeding device and the electric clutch controlling the feeding device, of a switcl1-lever arranged in the path of the sheets and adapted to close the circuit of the clutch, and an abutment-roller provided with a groove into which the switch -lever is adapted to project, substantially as setforth.

26. The combination with the feed-table, the sheet-feeding device and the electric clutch controlling said feeding device, of a switch-leverarranged inthe path of the sheets and controlling the circuit of the clutch, an abutment arranged adjacent to theswitchlever, and a vertically-movable support carrying the switch-lever, substantially as set forth.

27. The combination with the feed-table, the sheet-feeding device and the electric clutch controlling said feeding device, of a switch-lever arrangedin the path of the sheets and controlling the circuit of the clutch, an abutment arranged adjacent to the switchlever, a vertically-movable support carrying IOO IIO

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the switch-lever, and a guard arranged on said Isupport and extending along the exposed rear portion of the switch-lever flush with the upper side thereof, substantially as set forth.

28. The combination with the feed-table, the feeding device, the lower delivery-rollers, and the upper delivery-rollers movable toward and from the lower rollers,of an electric clutch controlling the feeding device, a switch-lever projecting upwardly through an opening in the feed-table into the path of the sheets and controlling the circuit of the clutch, an abutment-roller mounted on the shaft of the upper delivery rollers and provided with a groove, a rock-shaft which raises and lowers the upper delivery-rollers and the abutmentroller, and a support carrying the switch-lever and secured to the rock-shaft, substantially as set forth.

29. The combination with the lower feedtable, the upper supply-table, and the feedwheels whereby the body of sheets is fed from the supply-table to the feed-table,of a ratchetwheel connected with the feed-wheels, a feed pawl and carrier' arranged on said ratchetwheel, a cam whereby the pawl-carrier is raised for moving the ratchet -wheel forwardly, a longitudinally-movable stop-bar provided with an inclined stop-face which engages with the pawl-carrier for limiting the downward movement thereof, and a clampingscrew which adjustably connects the stop-bar with the adjacent slotted portion of the pawl, substantially as set forth.

30. The combination with the lower feedtable, the upper supply-table and the feedwheels whereby the body of sheets is fed from the su pply-table to the feedtable,of a ratchetwheel connected with the feed-Wheels, afeed pawl and carrier arranged on s aid ratchetwheel, a cam whereby the pawl-carrier is raised for moving the ratchet wheel forwardly, a shoulder formed on the pawl-carrier, a regulator-catch pivoted on the adjacent portion of the frame and adapted to engage with said shoulder, and a reciprocating shifting-rod provided with a longitudinal slot which receives a projection on the regulatorcatch, substantially as set forth.

Vitness our hands this 15th day of December, 1897. y

THOMAS ARNOLD BRIGGS. FRANK LEONARD GROSS. Witnesses:

J. O. FISH, H. B. NOYES. 

